A RECORD-BREAKING £70,000 was raised for the Oxford Children’s Hospital at the annual charity OX5 Run this year.

The OX5 Run for the Headington hospital took place in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock on March 10.

The 11th annual event raised the largest sum to date, with money still coming in.

Exactly 959 runners crossed the finish line and broke last year’s final total of £60,000.

Runners and organisers celebrated the success at a presentation in the children’s hospital on Monday.

Among them was teenage patient Laura Thompson.

The 14-year-old has Vacterl Association and was born at the Headington hospital with her oesophagus joined to her windpipe, and a hole in her heart.

Laura has had 10 operations at the hospital including major back surgery three years ago, and needs a new pacemaker fitted this year.

The teen, from Chilton near Didcot, said: “I really enjoyed talking to everyone about why the children’s hospital is a really special place, a place that I actually look forward to coming to – which is a good job, as I come here a lot.

“It was also nice to be able to thank everyone for raising so much money at the fun run.”

Children’s hospital fundraiser Penny Hambridge said: “We are thrilled that this year’s Oxford Mail OX5 run has broken all previous records, with both the largest number of participants ever and the most amount of money raised ever. It’s just astounding.

“We would like to thank our friends at the Oxford Mail for once again organising this wonderful event, and sponsors Allen Associates for their continued support.

“Thanks also to the Duke of Marlborough and his team at Blenheim Palace for their continued support and Raymond Blanc, Hannah England and Jay Jayamohan, who sent the runners off on their way.”

Cups were presented by Newsquest Oxfordshire managing director Shamus Donald, Laura Thompson, and Rob and Kate Allen of Allen Associates to: Natalie Babington, 28, from Thame, who won the Ladies Cup; Siemens Magnet Technology, winners of the Challenge Cup; Oxford Vaccine Group, winners of the Community Cup; and Nicholsons Nursery, winners of the Corporate Cup.

The overall winner, 37-year-old Les Newell, head of Radley College’s sports centre, was abroad and could not make the presentation. He won the event in 28 minutes and 14 seconds.